Historical Hockey Memorabilia Auction Fall 2020
Ce lot est fermé pour enchérir. Enchère terminée le
A pre-war hockey card issue like no other is what we’re extremely pleased to offer here and consider the encapsulated bonanza a hobby event. What a thrill it is to handle/describe this remarkable ensemble of black and white images, the sum of which represents a wonderful who's who of prominent hockey personalities from the mid-1930s. The outstanding roster boasts close to three dozen famous players, coaches and managers now enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Issued by Montreal’s World Wide Gum Company, the unique set also features players who skated for “senior” teams, notably the Montreal Royals and Quebec Aces, with the vast majority of those being rookie cards and oftentimes the player’s only cardboard appearance. Incredibly challenging to piece together in any condition, the big 135-card set, also called “Ice Kings” like World Wide’s initial hockey card effort of 1933-34, was long believed to have been released during the 1936-37 season, but extensive research years ago points to the following campaign. The set’s key card, that of hockey immortal Howie Morenz, speaks of his tragic death, which occurred in March of 1937, helping to date the thick cardboard treasures. And what a treasure trove our consignor is making available.
The overall (mostly crease-free) condition is alluring indeed, with just 15 cards not attaining VG-EX. The Morenz entry features a spellbinding look from Howie and is slabbed EX+ 5.5, while fellow icon Eddie Shore’s card is a notch above at EX-MT 6. The other key is the #1 card of Charlie Conacher at VG 3. A peerless contributor to the sport of hockey, Art Ross also contributes brilliantly here, his NM-MT 8 (Pop 4) card bettered by none in the history of PSA. One other NM-MT 8, #49-Doug Young RC can boast of being a Pop 1 with none higher with just one V356 card (out of over 1,600 total submissions) ever being worthy of MINT 9 recognition. Other condition leaders here are 27-Charlie Sands (NM+ 7.5) and three NM 7s; 6-Paul Thompson, 14-Red Dutton and 79-Sammy McManus RC, with 63-Peggy O’Neil at EX-MT+ 6.5. Joining Shore at EX-MT 6 are 18 others including 11-Goodfellow, 12-Tiny Thompson, 16-Frank Boucher RC, 21-Ching Johnson, 51-Busher Jackson, 66-Carl Voss RC and 58-Sweeney Schriner. Eight EX+ 5.5s (3-Siebert, 59-Emms, 69-Weiland) are followed by 33 at EX 5, the most notable being 4-Barry, 13-March RC, 17-Gorman RC, 20-Hooley Smith, 68-Bun Cook, 80-Phil Watson RC, 57-Lynn Patrick and 94-Lester Patrick. Hall of Famers 23-Syl Apps and 91-Neil Colville, along with Canadiens’ mascot Howie Morenz Jr. are among a dozen VG-EX+ 4.5s, with a big stack (37) of VG-EX 4s featuring 8-Horner, 10-Lionel Conacher, 36-Clapper, 64-Lewis RC, 52-Day, 65-Joliat, 75-Howe and the rookie card of Conn Smythe. Like we said, a lineup like no other, with final mentions of a Cecil Hart RC (VG+ 3.5) and rookie cards of Buddy O’Connor, Gerry Heffernan and Pete Morin, a famous Montreal Royals senior hockey trio dubbed “The Razzle Dazzle Line”. “Dazzling” seems an appropriate adjective to end off the description of this formidable assembly, sure to render its new custodian proud and happy.
*Cards required to complete the set are those of 7-Roy Worters, 29-King Clancy, 99-Jack Adams and 106-Lester Brennan RC, while three not already mentioned cards are slabbed AUTHENTIC - TRIMMED; 28-Metz, 40-Boll and 123 Karakas.
By clicking this button, you will IMMEDIATELY bid the amount selected.
By clicking this button, you will submit this amount as your MAXIMUM (absentee) bid. The auction software will place bids on your behalf up to this amount only as it is bid against competitively by other bidder(s).